Earlier this week, someone commented on this post that they would like an update on the painted floor tile in our entryway and around the fireplace.
Tile Update Before and After
I thought it was a great idea. I love a good DIY project, but what I love more is seeing how it holds up after a few months, or a year. You know, after three dogs have had their chance to mess it up. Or after a million pieces of furniture have crossed its threshold. That’s where you find out if it’s worth it to spend HOURS of your life on the floor, painstakingly painting tiny squares…
I used X-I-M Primer/Bonder before painting the floor tiles, which was supposed to help the paint adhere to the tile better. I have to say that it really did a great job, and I’ll use it again when I need to paint any kind of tile. They tinted the primer for me to almost the same shade of grey I chose (Gauntlet Grey by Sherwin Williams). I used Sherwin Williams All Surface Enamel in satin finish as the top coat. It’s in the red can, and is oil based. Amazing coverage and durability!
X-I-M Primer
I finally got around to taking some pictures this morning while letting the dogs out. They aren’t fabulous pictures, but they do show that this paint really did hold up to the every day wear and tear that happens at your front door.
Painted floor tiles after one year. I used X-I-M Primer/Bonder
As you can see, the paint held up well.
Front door thresh hold
The only place we had any kind of wear that can be seen is here…
Damage to floor tile 🙁
But this damage wasn’t because the paint didn’t hold up, it is because when the guys who were renovating our bathroom were taking the old cabinets and other stuff out, they didn’t protect the floor, and they dropped something heavy on this section of the floor tile. It broke pieces of the tile off, and scratched around it. But that’s the only section that is scratched – not bad for painted floor tile by the front door.
It also held up great around the fireplace.
Tile still looks fabulous around the fireplace.
I used the same primer and paint on the backsplash in our kitchen, which is black granite. It has held up great to water and cooking splatter – no bubbling or chipping. And I would show you pictures of that too, but the kitchen is a mess this morning 🙂 Another time, I promise.
Well, gotta run. My husband’s birthday is next week and we are having people over to celebrate. And if you know me, you know there is a list of projects to finish before then. I’m off to paint something…
Have a great day! Come back soon 🙂
Eliesa
Tracy says
June 21, 2013 at 10:45 amGood to know it held up so well… and your floors look great! 🙂
Christina @ Floridays Mom says
June 22, 2013 at 9:24 amOn wow.. This looks terrific, such a great transformation. Happy to hear its held up so well. I’m interested in seeing the granite backsplash you painted as well. I really want to change mine out, painting it would save me time/money.
A Pinterest Addict says
June 22, 2013 at 10:09 amAs soon as I figure out what “permanent” color to paint it, I’ll do a post about it. Right now, it’s kind of blah since I just used the grey (I had it, why not use it?!) I plan on repainting it a lighter, brighter color when the kitchen finally gets it’s makeover.
By the way, thanks for stopping by my blog! It’s always nice to see a new face 🙂
Gayle Kirby (@misskopykat) says
June 22, 2013 at 10:00 amI missed that post that you did about painting the tiles so this is great for me to see! Thanks for being real and showing a project even months after it was done to see how the painted tiles held up…really amazing! When we moved into our “new to us” house 8 years ago, I hated the color of the tile backsplash in the kitchen but to save redecorating dollars we decided to “temporarily” just paint the tiles and grout the same color as the wall color. Ummm…we haven’t done anything to it since then and it still looks good.
A Pinterest Addict says
June 22, 2013 at 10:05 amThanks! One of the best parts of Pinterest is finding all kinds of great ideas. One of the worst parts is trying that “pin” and having it fail miserably. But then, that’s kind of the fun too with some of the pins, as long as it didn’t cost a fortune! I have been trying to decide on a color scheme for the kitchen, so as soon as I do, I can focus on getting it repainted – including the backsplash.
mairzeebp says
June 23, 2013 at 8:21 amI love seeing the follow up friend. It’s important and very helpful!! Love the color by the way :).
Michelle says
July 19, 2013 at 7:44 pmLol just saw comment on kitchen backsplash….good to know!
LikesToDream says
March 1, 2014 at 7:39 amI am very new to HomeTalk and have just found this blog! I have been trying to decide about painting the ceramic tile in my Master Bathroom. It is a dark green that doesn’t go with anything else in my re-painted Master Bedroom but the money isn’t there to re-do the bathroom so I was thinking about painting the tile. As yours has held up so well, would you think it would hold up in a bathroom where there is lots of moisture? Any advice given is greatly appreciated!!
A Pinterest Addict says
March 1, 2014 at 7:51 amI used the same paint and primer on the floor tiles, and the granite backsplash in the kitchen. Both have held up fabulously. I would do it again in a heartbeat. That being said, there are special paints out there for bathroom tiles. You might want to investigate that first because of the water issue. Although the backsplash gets wet occasionally, it’s not an every day occurrence. Thanks for the comment 🙂
LikesToDream says
March 1, 2014 at 8:02 amThanks for the quick reply! I am heading to Sherwin Williams today anyway so I will talk to them about painting the bathroom tiles! I’m excited!!! So glad I found your blog! Thanks much!
J says
June 15, 2014 at 4:13 pmI must be missing it, but what kind of paint did you use on top of the primer? Was it oil based or some special paint?
A Pinterest Addict says
June 15, 2014 at 5:40 pmI used Sherwin Williams All Surface Enamel in satin finish. It comes in a red can, and is oil based. Our tiles still look fabulous!
Nanette says
March 18, 2016 at 10:15 pmJust a question – Did you paint the larger tiles as well? I absolutely hate the floor tiles in my house and the dark grout that is between them. Any advice on painting an entire floor surface, including 1 foot tiles and grout together? (Because literally half my house is in this wretched situation and tearing out and replacing the tile and the grout is out of the question money-wise).
A Pinterest Addict says
March 19, 2016 at 3:55 amNo, I didn’t paint the larger tiles, but you totally could. Just make sure you use good primer and paint, or you’ll have a peeling mess! I have seen people epoxy right over the entire floor surface, and it looks amazing. But I haven’t seen your tile, so I can’t tell you if I would do it in your situation. Good luck!
Julia says
November 13, 2016 at 8:56 pmThis post was exactly what I was searching for! You did an awesome job and thank you for the updates that I also needed to know… I know you did primer and satin paint did you use anything else to seal the them?
A Pinterest Addict says
November 13, 2016 at 9:19 pmNo, no other sealer or anything. They held up great, would do it again. Good luck!
Larry says
February 14, 2019 at 11:34 pmCan I be honest. It looks like an amateur Sh!t job. The gray looks horrible. Maybe it’s just me but I like things done properly. What do you have after you Put make-up on a pig? You still have a pig! Don’t quit your day job. If I sound mean it is because I am trying to do so. When people come and tell me you can do this and then I see the results, LOL!
A Pinterest Addict says
April 1, 2019 at 8:55 pmSure, you can be honest about how you feel, I appreciate constructive criticism. What I don’t appreciate is when someone is purposely an asshat. This actually worked great for me, fixed my problem (ugly pink tile) while I waited to replace the tile at a later date. I’d do it again, and recommend this paint and primer combo to anyone that needs a fix to their ugly tile but can’t afford to replace the tile now. Unfortunately for you, there is no fix for an ugly heart spouting ugly words. Best of luck to you, Larry. 🙁
onetoughkitty says
May 11, 2019 at 8:16 pmI think the Gray looks great. It brightened up that hallway for sure.Maybe larry used to own the house and liked that awful red and yellow nightmare… yuck.
A Pinterest Addict says
May 11, 2019 at 8:38 pm😀